Experimental and Computational Analysis of Energy Absorption Characteristics of Three Biomimetic Lattice Structures Under Compression

TL;DR

This study compares the energy absorption and mechanical properties of gyroid, dual-lattice, and spinodoid biomimetic structures under compression using experimental tests and finite element analysis, revealing their different efficiencies and behaviors.

Contribution

It provides a combined experimental and computational analysis of three biomimetic lattice structures, highlighting their energy absorption capabilities and structural characteristics.

Findings

Dual-lattice absorbs more energy at each volume fraction.

Gyroid shows higher energy absorption efficiency and densification at higher strains.

Spinodoid is less effective in energy absorption, especially at low volume fractions.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the mechanical properties and energy absorption characteristics of the gyroid, dual-lattice and spinodoid structures, as biomimetic lattices, through finite element analysis and experimental characterisation. As part of the study, gyroid and dual-lattice structures at 10 percent volume fraction were 3D-printed using an elastic resin, and mechanically tested under uniaxial compression. Computational models were calibrated to the observed experimental data and the response of higher volume fraction structures were simulated in an explicit finite element solver. Stress-strain data of groups of lattices at different volume fractions were studied and energy absorption parameters including total energy absorbed per unit volume, energy absorption efficiency and onset of densification strain were calculated. Also, the structures were characterized into bending-dominant and stretch-dominant structures, according to their nodal connectivity and Gibson-and-Ashby's law. The results of the study showed that the dual-lattice is capable of absorbing more energy at each volume fraction cohort. However, gyroid structures showed higher energy absorption efficiency and the onset of densification at higher strains. The spinodoid structure was found to be the poorest structure in terms of energy absorption, specifically at low volume fractions. Also, the results showed that the dual-lattice was a stretch dominated structure, while the gyroid structure was a bending dominated structure, which may be a reason that it is a better candidate for energy absorption applications.